Overcoming Fears to Help Her Community

Alicia Alvarez, a Medical Assistant at our Goodyear Clinic, was known for passing out at the sight of blood. Never in her life did she see herself working in a medical setting.

“One year, my father got into a car accident and I was trying to help him but I couldn’t get myself to do it,” Alicia shared. “I realized that I had to get over my fear because I felt terrible that I wasn’t able to help my dad.”

Making the Move

In 2000, Alicia decided to conquer her fear and went to school to be a medical assistant. She received a grant in California and quickly grew a new set of skills.

“I was amazed how fast I got used to being around needles,” she shared. “You just have to have the right mindset and be determined and you’ll get through anything.”

Mary Jo loves spending time with her family every chance she gets.

Alicia enjoys seeing new places and spending time with her family.

A few years after Alicia finished school she decided to move to Arizona to join her family who all migrated over from California for a better, less expensive life. Her three children and husband of 26 years, Salome, moved with her to start a new life.

“At first my husband didn’t want to move, but he did it for me,” she said. “Now I would never be able to rip him away from here.”

Joining our Team

It has been 14 years since Alicia began her career at Mountain Park. For more than a decade she has been caring for her patients and staff as if they were her own family.

“Alicia is extremely friendly and she makes our clients and patients feel welcome,” Judy Robertson, WIC Clinic Supervisor shared. “Many people who have worked with her over the years notice the passion she has for Mountain Park and all the services we offer. She is the main reason why our referral process between WIC and Mountain Park is successful at Goodyear.”

Alicia goes wherever she is needed. As a medical assistant she can connect with people and educate them on why coming in for regular physicals is important.

“When Alicia was on my team, or whenever she is helping fill in, I know I can trust her to check on my patients and make them feel comfortable,” Dr. Krista Pellicore mentioned. “She is really good at speaking to our patients and making sure they understand the importance of getting regular checkups. She is very high energy, welcoming, understanding and compassionate.”

Since January Alicia has been using her outgoing personality helping encourage our WIC clients to become Mountain Park patients.

“I let the WIC clients know all about our services,” she shared. “Our WIC clinic is downstairs and sometimes people don’t know about Mountain Park and all that we have to offer. My goal is to make every WIC client a patient at one of our clinics so that they can get the healthcare and resources they need all under one roof.”

At Mountain Park, everyone works together and treats one another as family. Those like Alicia come to work every morning with a smile on their face and belief in our mission.

“Everywhere I go, I talk to people about Mountain Park with the community,” she explained. “I connect with people and help them understand everything we have to offer.”

Thank you, Alicia, for all you have done over the last 14 years. We love seeing your energetic and smiling face every day.